There will always be another notification. (© fotoAI – stock.adobe.com)
Today’s algorithms prioritize engagement, but what about well-being?
In A Nutshell
62% experience recurring digital burnout, with constant notifications (24%) and social media overload (23%) driving the exhaustion
47% say their browser distracts them just as often as it helps them focus, creating a fundamental tension between productivity and chaos
Younger generations struggle most: 35% of Millennials regularly feel burnt out and 30% often can’t disconnect, compared to 31% of Boomers who never experience burnout
92% want personalized browsers, and 81% are willing to switch, confirming that users aren’t accepting burnout, they’re actively seeking solutions
Endless notifications. Social media rabbit holes. Ten tabs open before you even realize it. For most Americans, this isn’t just a bad day online. It’s every day. The internet was supposed to improve our lives, but all that browsing is beginning to take a serious toll.
That’s one of the key takeaways of Shift’s 2026 State of Browsing Report. Following a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by MX8 Labs, researchers confirmed something many have suspected but few have quantified: our browsers are breaking us. Nearly two-thirds of people experience recurring digital burnout, and almost half say their browser distracts them just as often as it helps them focus.
What’s Driving Browser Burnout?
The culprits are surprisingly consistent across users. Constant notifications top the list at 24%, followed closely by social media overload at 23% and falling into news rabbit holes at 18%. For many Americans, the browser has become both a workspace and a distraction machine, with no clear boundary between the two.
Personal use dominates desktop browsing, with 40% of users spending most of their browser time on personal activities while only 26% use it primarily for work. This mixing creates a fundamental tension. The survey found 47% of users say browsers both distract and help them focus equally, a paradox that defines modern internet use.
Age reveals strikingly different patterns of digital wellness. While 31% of Baby Boomers never feel digitally burnt out and 30% never struggle to disconnect, younger generations face steeper challenges. Among Millennials, 35% regularly feel burnt out and 30% often struggle to disconnect. Gen X falls in between, with 44% occasionally feeling burnt out and 35% sometimes having trouble disconnecting.
People want more control online, but many struggle to escape the constant stream of content. (Photo by DimaBerlin on Shutterstock)
Users Want Control Of Their Browser, Not Just More Features
Despite widespread frustration, users are actively seeking solutions rather than simply accepting burnout as inevitable. An overwhelming 92% want personalization from their browser, and 47% say a browser that fits their workflow is very important. Perhaps most telling: 81% are willing to or considering switching browsers to better fit their needs.
The most requested browser features paint a clear picture of what users crave. Multiple accounts and logins top the list at 39%, suggesting people want cleaner separation between their digital lives. Task organization ranks second at 34%, followed by notification blockers at 31%. These requests all point to the same underlying need: better control over the chaos.
Modern work demands add another layer of complexity. Half of respondents use three to five apps daily for work. A third of workers spend most of their workday online, which typically runs four to six hours. The friction adds up quickly. Twenty percent cite app switching as a major productivity killer, another 20% blame slow performance, 16% point to too many notifications, and 15% struggle with lost logins.
The Real Cost of Digital Distraction
Distractions come with real costs beyond frustration. About 43% lose focus in their browser several times per day, while 21% get distracted multiple times every hour. When distraction hits, only 23% quickly regain concentration. More concerning: 13% lose substantial time, with distractions costing them 30 minutes or more each time.
The survey reveals a generation caught between capability and control. We have more tools than ever but feel less productive. We’re constantly connected yet struggling to disconnect. Personal and professional lives blur together in a single browser window, creating exhaustion without clear solutions.
It’s easy to simply blame too much technology for this widespread burnout. But it’s the technology that doesn’t adapt to how we actually work and live. Users aren’t asking for fewer features or simpler tools. They’re asking for browsers that understand context, that can separate work from play, that can shield them from constant interruptions without cutting them off entirely.
The path forward seems clear from user preferences. People want browsers that work with them rather than against them, that provide speed and personalization without intrusion. The question is whether the industry will respond to these needs or continue building tools that maximize engagement at the expense of wellbeing.